BRIDGE

BRIDGE

NORTH

xJ 10 8

uA J 10

vJ 10 5 4

w8 5 2

WEST EAST

x5 x7 6 2

u9 8 7 3 2 uK 5 4

vQ 9 8 2 v7 6 3

wA Q 4 wJ 10 9 6

SOUTH

xA K Q 9 4 3

uQ 6

vA K

wK 7 3

The bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1x Pass 2x Pass

4x All pass

Opening lead: Nine of u

North-South reached a sound contract. There would be 12 tricks available if both the king of hearts and the ace of clubs were favorably located -- 11 tricks if either was well placed. There was danger, however, if both of those cards were off side.

The opening nine of hearts lead did not look like it was from the king, and South did not want to risk letting East gain the lead to push a club through. He rose with dummy’s ace of hearts at trick one, led a diamond to his ace, and cashed the king of diamonds. Declarer crossed to dummy with the eight of spades and led the jack of diamonds, discarding the queen of hearts when East played low. West won with the queen and led another diamond for East to ruff, preventing a discard on the 10 of diamonds.

South over-ruffed East’s trump with the ace of spades and returned to dummy with the jack of trumps, drawing the last outstanding trump in the process. Declarer led the jack of hearts from dummy, intending to discard a club should East play low. This would leave the king of clubs protected and assure the contract. East covered with the king and South ruffed with the king of spades. There was still a trump entry to dummy, and declarer used it to discard a club on the 10 of hearts and lead a club toward the king for a possible overtrick. No luck there but South’s careful handling brought home his contract.

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